The good senator from South Carolina has a lifetime conservative voting record of 90. When Graham discusses an issue it quickly becomes apparent that he is a traditional conservative.

It also becomes apparent that when issues fall outside the realm of traditional conservative concerns that Lindsey Graham is open to different possibilities, and he is willing to work for the best outcome — even if that means reaching across the aisle and working with Democrats.

Not up for reelection until 2014, Graham is willing to be independent on a wide range of issues: energy independence, the environment, cap-and-trade, immigration, and is a strong defender of individual rights.

In a harshly-worded resolution approved Monday (Nov 9) by one of South Carolina’s largest Republican Party bases, Graham was condemned for undermining “Republican leadership and party solidarity for his own benefit” and tarnishing “the ideals of freedom, rule of law, and fiscal conservatism.”

His crime: not trash talking the Democrats, supporting climate change legislation, and a willingness to categorize some of the folks back home as ‘bigots’ for their opposition to his stance on immigration.

We often say that we wish our elected legislators were more independent and willing to stand up for their beliefs.

It seems as if the mood within the Republican party currently is to take a hammer to anyone that is not in attack mode 24/7 against the Democrats and President Obama, and that is brave enough to have an opinion and to voice it without checking with one of the talking radio heads first to see if it meets with their approval.